# For the 12th edition the Festival International de Jazz de Port-au-Prince: Videos, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2018/03/17/for-the-12th-edition-the-festival-international-de-jazz-de-port-au-prince-videos-photos/
- Published: 2018-03-17T10:55:21+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**For the 12th edition the Festival International de Jazz de Port-au-Prince (PAPJAZZ
for short, which will be used to refer to the festival going forward, as well as
introducing a new logo) returned to its usual schedule at the end of January. This
is supposed to be the dry season, but more on that later. **

As always the character of the festival was significantly influenced by the partner
countries and organizations: the Brazilian, Canadian, Chilean, French, German Mexican,
Spanish, Swiss and USA Embassies; the French Institute; and Wallonie Bruxelles International.
Brazil was the country of honor this year, hosting master classes at their Cultural
Center and giving the inaugural evenings a Brazilian touch with dance demonstrations
and capoeira (the Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics
and music).

![Image result for Erik Truffaz](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
thumb/9/99/Erik_Truffaz.JPG/1200px-Erik_Truffaz.JPG)

**Erik Truffaz/Emilie-Claire Barlow/Kenny Garrett**

The inaugural concert took place at the Hotel Karibe, host to some of last year’s
shows. But the venue was substantially different. Instead of using the indoor meeting
space, the stage was set up outdoors in the hotel’s patio area: close enough to 
the lobby to allow the audience to take shelter indoors in case of rain. Rain wound
up not being a problem on this night. A student big band from educational partner
Collège Catts Pressoir (a Port-au-Prince school offering primary and secondary education)
took advantage of the delay setting up the stage to play a lengthy introductory 
set from the “balcony” in the rear part of the space. They opened with a spirited
version of Duke Ellington’s classic jazz anthem “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t
Got That Swing).” A later funk tune featured an impressive section trading saxophone
and trumpet solos, demonstrating a group depth beyond their ensemble playing. The
set closed with “Tequila,” a surprising choice with universal appeal, judging by
the crowd’s enthusiastic response.

Swiss-born French trumpeter Erik Truffaz and his quartet began the concert proper
with a blast of jazz fusion energy. Truffaz acknowledges the influence of legendary
trumpeter Miles Davis, but he has definitely found his own sound. The opening tune
began with just electric piano and trumpet, before bringing in the rest of the rhythm
section for a rock-influenced swing feel. An atmospheric rubato break went into 
almost psychedelic rock territory. Keyboardist Benoit Corboz favors processing his
Fender Rhodes electric piano with electronic effects, producing more distinctive
sounds than the generic ones common to most synthesizers, and Truffaz matched him
here by playing his trumpet through a digital delay. Corboz played a lovely unmodified
piano solo on the next tune, which also featured a groove-oriented solo from drummer
Arthur Hnatek. Truffaz got the audience to clap along with the next tune, a rock
feel with a pulsing “heartbeat” bass line from bassist Christophe Chambet. I think
Truffaz announced the final selection with a dedication to the great Haitian revolutionary
leader Toussaint L’Ouverture. It began with a Haitian konpas rhythm, eventually 
morphing into reggae. Intermission began with the capoeira demonstration (see the
Slideshow on the first page for a photo).

Canadian vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow was up next. An excellent singer and an engaging,
outgoing performer, her set was characterized by very creative arrangements of a
wide variety of jazz and popular songs. “Feeling Groovy” opened with a slow blues
groove, then shifted into fast swing for guitarist Reg Schwager’s fleet bebop solo.
Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke, and Johnny Mercer’s “Midnight Sun” featured the first
of many lyrical tenor saxophone solos from Kelly Jefferson, who was a consistent
stand out even in the company of a razor-sharp band. “On a Clear Day You Can See
Forever” employed an unexpected funk groove, with another great tenor sax solo, 
which cleverly merged into the melody at the end. Barlow explained that the arrangement
had been inspired by a trip into the Arctic and the vast panoramas she viewed there.
There were intimate moments as well: Jobim’s “Waters of March” began as a duet with
guitar, and Van Morrison’s “Sweet Thing” (which Barlow introduced as a Morrison 
cover, but not “Moondance”) was a duet with bassist Daniel Fortin. “These Boots 
Are Made For Walkin'” was another masterful bit of arranging and performing. The
familiar tune went through multiple key changes before launching into a string of
swing solos after Barlow’s command to “start walking.” “Raindrops Keep Falling on
My Head” was performed as a samba (with a quote from Chick Corea’s contemporary 
jazz standard “Spain”), and “The Beat Goes On” provided an unexpected, rousing set
closer.

The opening concert of the festival is traditionally closed by the main festival
headliner, a role admirably filled this year by the the great American alto saxophonist
Kenny Garrett, who first came to prominence playing with trumpet legend Miles Davis.
He has recorded in many jazz styles, but he began the set solidly in modern acoustic
jazz territory, with an original tune based around a modal bass riff like the ones
frequently employed by saxophonist John Coltrane. Tremendous energy from the entire
band: the electricity in the air was palpable. A little ways into the set Garrett
broke into an exciting unaccompanied series of saxophone cries—followed by a familiar
tune which I could not place, which was not announced. But it was followed by the
standard “Body and Soul,” a favored saxophone feature ever since Coleman Hawkins’
classic recording. At this point Garrett introduced the band: Vernell Brown, Keyboard;
Holt Corcoran, bass; Samuel Laviso, drums; and Rudy Bird, percussion and vocals.
All first-rate players, and they sounded like they have played together a lot. Bird
proved to be an especially useful foil for the leader as the set went on.

Having won the audience over with mainstream jazz, the rest of the show went in 
a more populist direction, which is also a long-time aspect of Garrett’s music. 
The soul jazz of “Do Your Dance!” (also the title tune of his 2016 Mack Avenue album)
included vocals, as well as another exuberant unaccompanied saxophone solo. During
the funk tune that followed it Garrett was able to engage the audience in both clapping
and singing along. But the tour-de-force of showmanship came during the funk encore.
The band members left the stage one by one, leaving the leader alone, finally as
a human beatbox. The man had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. As
he left the stage he mentioned how glad he was to have made it to the festival: 
he had been forced to cancel his appearance on the opening night of the festival’s
tenth anniversary in 2016. I think I can speak for the entire audience when I say
it was worth the wait.

**Leila Pinheiro/Réginald Policard/Dominique Di Piazza**

The Sunday night show began with veteran Brazilian vocalist/pianist Leila Pinheiro
in her duet project with guitarist Nelson Faria, collectively called Céu e Mar (
Sky and Sea). They were warmly received by the large Brazilian cohort in attendance
when they took the stage.

![Image result for Leila Pinheiro](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
thumb/1/16/Leila_Pinheiro_2012.jpg/1200px-Leila_Pinheiro_2012.jpg)

Their set was a rich blend of bossa nova and jazz standards, made fresh by their
creative partnership. “Girl From Ipanema” has become a bit overplayed in the U.S.—
even having cocktail lounge associations—but it’s a beautiful tune when played well.
It also has a different sound when sung in the original Portuguese, as most of these
songs were. Pinheiro switched to electric piano for the Duke Ellington classic “(
In My) Solitude.” Later she sang “Ole Devil Called Love” in English, in honor of
singer Billie Holiday. Faria was a sensitive accompanist throughout. When he finally
played an unaccompanied solo it concluded with a sly introduction to the bossa nova
classic “O Barquinho,” their closing selection. A fine ending to a performance both
classy and classic.

![Image result for Dominique Di Piazza](https://i0.wp.com/www.markbass.it/media/
filer_public_thumbnails/filer_public/3b/ac/3bac0a50-3560-4fb2-a23e-211fa2f346c9/
di_piazza.jpg__1980x1980_q85_subsampling-2.jpg?w=640)

The intermission music was supplied by the Ra Ra band Follow Jah, a bande à pied
or walking band (marching band in common English usage) that has been performing
at the festival since 2012. They provide a literal blast of high energy every time
they perform.

Pianist/composer Reginald Policard was the first Haitian musician on the main stage.
Founder of the well known Caribbean Sextet, he has also been associated with konpa,
fusion, and even smooth jazz. But the music he played on this night was firmly in
the modern jazz tradition, with a healthy dose of Latin jazz for spice. During the
opening tune his piano recalled the thunder of McCoy Tyner. He definitely has a 
musical sense of humor as well, as demonstrated by his “Peanut Vendor” quote in 
a later tune. That original had a fast, irregular rhythm, with space for a saxophone/
drum duet, a bass/drum duet, and finally a drum solo. Policard called up his young
trumpet guest Maxime Lafaille, an excellent player who led a band later in the week
at an After Hours show, as well as a frequent jam session participant all week long.
Then Leila Pinheiro joined him on stage to sing Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Corcovado”(“
Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars”)—the kind of guest performance that can only happen
at a festival like this. It was a very good night for Jobim, which makes it a very
good night, period.

Intermission included a Brazilian dance exhibition as well as more Ra Ra.

The brilliant French bass guitarist Dominique di Piazza closed out the night on 
a much more contemporary note. Best known for his playing in guitarist John McLaughlin’s
band, his own group was also in the jazz fusion camp. The electronic sound was apparent
right from the start, with reed player Stephane Chausse playing an atmospheric introduction
on EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), as he did for much of the set. At the end of
the tune (back-announced as “New Life”) the EWI switched to a violin sound. For “
Desillusion” Chausse switched to clarinet—the only other instrument he played during
the set—and the leader took his first bass solo, which was melodic and guitar-like.
When Di Piazza finally took an unaccompanied solo, it was a version of the hymn “
How Great Thou Art,” a performance that was both soulful and jaw-droppingly technical.
The band went into a fast Bulgarian-sounding tune, which had bass, clarinet and 
piano doubling the melody. The drum solo featuring drummer Yoann Schmidt was simply
astonishing: one of the scariest demonstration of chops that I have ever seen. That
was true of the whole band in the end. The restraint shown building to their technical
peak was one of the most impressive things about their set.

![Image result for Marialy Pacheco & Joo Kraus](https://i0.wp.com/skulpturenpark-
waldfrieden.de/fa/editor/grafiken/Fotos_Klangart/2015/Pacheco_990.jpg?w=640)

**Emilie Claire Barlow/Marialy Pacheco & Joo Kraus/Rutshelle Guillaume**

The move to Universite Quisqueya and free admission signaled a larger, more diverse
audience. Canadian vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow opened the concert with a shorter
set similar to the Saturday show. Several songs were cut for time, but there was
one addition. The samba “O Pato (The Duck)” first popularized by Joao Gilberto presented
the opportunity for audience sing-along on duck quacks and laughs, which was obliged
with enthusiasm. “The Beat Goes On” again closed the set, a success with this audience
as it had been with the more elite crowd at the earlier concert.

Pianist Marialy Pacheco was born in Cuba, but now lives in Germany, as does her 
playing partner trumpeter Joo Kraus. Pacheco is a gifted pianist with a stylistic
range that extends into earlier jazz forms. “Tres Linguas” was a Cuban tune with
a ragtime feel. Her version of Mercer Ellington’s “Things Ain’t What They Used to
Be” was played as a slow drag blues. Trumpeter Kraus just plain brought the fun:
an irrepressible, surprising player. He accompanied Pacheco with vocal percussion;
performed a whistling solo on the Ellington tune; and on her original tune “Metro”(
about the slow public transport in her native Cuba growing up) he played trumpet
into a digital delay unit, following that up with delayed vocal sounds. Another 
example of intimate music played successfully on a large stage to an outdoor festival
crowd.

![Image result for Emilie Claire Barlow](https://i0.wp.com/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.
com/originals/bc/1f/59/bc1f5984bd2d8edaad3fd01931c80e46.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

The concert concluded with Haitian vocalist Rutshelle Guillaume, whose music was
clearly very popular with the crowd. It was a big pop/rock production, complete 
with four backup singers. “Victorious” was a soft rock anthem; “Je Suis” brought
the funk. After another power ballad the unmistakable sound of East African soukous
guitar came in, prompting me to stop taking notes and dance. Certainly not jazz,
but a fun way to end the evening.

**Sidebar: Education & Outreach**

The festival (and the Haiti Jazz Foundation which operates year-round) offers a 
number of workshops over the course of the festival. This is part of the Foundation’s
mission, which they define as: “Promote musical activities around country, especially
through the annual Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival; Provide access to
continuing professional music education in Haiti; Preserve Haiti’s musical heritage;
and Serve as a platform for the diffusion, evolution, and promotion of kreyòl jazz
in Haiti and abroad.”

Workshops/Master Classes were given by American saxophonist Kenny Garrett, French
bassist Dominique Di Piazza, Canadian singer Emilie Claire Barlow, Brazilian guitarist
Nelson Faria, Canadian/Haitian singer/guitarist Wesli, American singer Loide Rosa
Jorge, Spanish guitarist Josemi Carmona, German singer Marialy Pacheco & trumpeter
Joo Kraus, Chilean guitarist Nicolas Vera, the Belgian Giuseppe Vogue Trio, the 
French/Swiss Erik Truffaz Quartet, Swiss organist Frank Salis, and finally American
guitarist Norman Brown. There was also a touching Conference on Herby Widmaier, 
the influential Haitian jazz musician and radio personality who passed just after
last year’s festival.

I was able to attend the Norman Brown workshop (see the Slideshow on the first page
for a photo). The effusive guitarist was free with both his playing and his answers
to questions about his career and musical technique. He began by playing unaccompanied,
chord melody style, before being joined by guest piano and electric bass. His formative
influences (in order) were Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, and George Benson—all illustrated
by trademark guitar sounds. He spoke at length about his practice routines, both
while studying as a student and now to maintain his edge. When asked how he escaped
the George Benson comparisons, he said the main way was by writing his own music(
which Benson does not do): this is how he found his own voice. He and his partners
improvised a piece on the spot, with Brown demonstrating his way with a melody. “
We’re writing a song” he said at one point.

There are also a series of regular music classes at educational partner Collège 
Catts Pressoir (whose student big band had played before the opening night concert).
The Foundation sponsors them “to give back, to help motivate and develop the skills
of young musicians: the next jazz generation.”

![Image result for Felipe Lamoglia](https://i0.wp.com/felipelamoglia.com/wp-content/
uploads/2017/04/Luis-Felipe-Lamoglia01.jpg?w=640)

**Felipe Lamoglia/Loide Jorge & Jazz Quartet/Wesli**

Saxophonist Felipe Lamoglia was born in Cuba, but now lives in the United States.
He came to join trumpeter Arturo Sandoval’s band, playing with him from 2001 to 
2009, and contributing to 2008’s Grammy-winner album Rumba Palace (Telarc, 2007).
He was joined by a group of Haitian musicians, including festival organizer Joel
Widmaier on percussion. The group opened with a Latin tune, Lamoglia immediately
impressive. The Yoruban tune “Esta Valejo” included an exciting section of the drums
and percussion trading fours. The Latin standard “Besame Mucho” was taken at ballad
tempo, with an acoustic piano solo and an especially lyrical bass solo. Lamoglia
introduced his tune “Enigma” as “crazy.” Not so crazy to my ears, but it did include
an elaborate, serpentine head. For the finale he led the audience in a clave clap-
along. After the tune segued into a swing feel Lamoglia played an uninhibited duet
with Widmaier’s percussion. It’s the kind of playing also heard from him all week
at the after hours jam sessions.

Loide Jorge and her Jazz Quartet represented the United States, but she was born
in France of African parents. Her version of “The Dance is Over” showed a definite
soukous influence. The subject of her original “Seven Days to Fall in Love” was 
in the title, and she followed it with Jobim’s bossa nova classic “Corcovado” (known
in English as “Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars,” which were the lyrics she sang). “Daddy
Remember Me” was about families being separated in Soweto; “Don’t Forget” had a 
similar theme, about not forgetting where you are from. “In Time” was about healing,
with a South African groove.

Wesli (a Haitian singer now living in Canada) closed the show with another crowd-
pleasing set of dance music. Konpa, reggae and rock were all represented, with a
soukous influence also in evidence. His lead guitarist had some serious rock chops,
and Wesli himself began one tune unaccompanied on nylon string guitar. Once again
I found the set was best appreciated by dancing to it.

![Image result for Javier Colina & Josemi Carmona](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/
vi/hMfAQsofW7w/maxresdefault.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

**Javier Colina & Josemi Carmona/Frank Salis H3O/Johnbern Thomas**

Spanish Flamenco musicians Javier Colina (contrabass) and Josemi Carmona (flamenco
guitar) were joined by a drummer/percussionist for a varied set. After a traditional
fiery flamenco opener, the second tune was more contemplative, recalling Ralph Towner’s
classical guitar playing, and also featuring a beautiful melodic bass solo. Colina
back-announced it as “Muñequita Linda,” explaining that he would be announcing in
Castialian, appropriate to the Spanish music they were playing. Colina again took
the spotlight on the next tune, playing the opening theme unaccompanied (later accompanying
a drum solo). Carmona departed from tradition by opening the next tune with a looper.
Called back for an encore—a rarity in a festival that tries to stay on schedule—
the group responded with a lovely version of “Moon River.”

Swiss organist Frank Salis H3O brought the funky organ trio blues with his H3O trio.
It was a real blast of old-school energy, and certainly proof (if any is still needed)
that jazz is definitely an international language. After a blues ballad (with a 
long unaccompanied organ solo that was unfailingly interesting), Salis introduced
his band mates, saxophonist Marco Nevano and drummer Marton Kiss . The next tune
featured a boogaloo beat, and gave Nevano an unaccompanied saxophone break and Kiss
a big drum solo spot, which they both made the most of. The trio took their leave
after one more down and dirty blues.

Haitian drummer Johnbern Thomas brought a big group for his Haitian-jazz fusion.
In addition to two percussionists, guitar and bass guitar he was joined by Americans
pianist Aaron Goldberg, saxophonist Godwin Louis, and trumpeter Darren Barrett. 
They began with a konpa beat with just the drums and percussion, before moving into
a swing feel with the whole band. The second tune started with unaccompanied piano
from Aaron, whose energetic, uninhibited playing was a highlight throughout the 
set. “Homeland” featured vocalist Alexis Amis, while the cover of Stevie Wonder’s“
Isn’t She Lovely” included a section with alto saxophone and trumpet trading fours,
bebop-style. “Jou va jou vyen” visited South African township jazz territory, while“
Scrapple From the Apple” recast Charlie Parker’s fast bebop head with Latin syncopation,
including a triple percussion solo. The set concluded with an old Latin standard(
which reminded me of “The Peanut Vendor,” but it wasn’t that tune). An exciting 
set with a fascinating Haitian take on American jazz.

⌊Image result for Johnbern Thomas⌉⌊Image result for Johnbern Thomas⌉

This concert was to be the final one at Universite Quisqueya. Chilean guitarist 
Nicolas Vera and the Nicolas Vera Trio got three tunes into their set before the
skies opened—always a danger even during the dry season. Their set was cut short,
and the rest of the show was cancelled. So the Belgian group Giuseppe Millaci & 
Vogue Trio did not get on stage this night, although they also had a performance
scheduled the following night at the Institut Français. The Haitian group Strings
was also cancelled, but made a surprise appearance later in the festival.

Heavy rains in Port-au-Prince create an immediate flood situation, as even major
low-lying streets quickly disappear under several inches of water, the result of
a combination of overbuilding on the hills and poor drainage. Traffic somehow finds
a way to keep moving for the most part, and the problem drains away quickly, but
it is a show-stopper (literally, in this case) while it is happening..

My day was largely devoted to a side trip to the coastal town Jacmel, so see the
sidebar for more on that.

**Sidebar: Jacmel**

Jacmel is a port town on the south coast of Haiti, a favorite weekend getaway for
Port-au-Prince residents. It has well-preserved historical French colonial architecture
that dates from the early nineteenth century, and is known as an arts center: one
of its nicknames is “City of Artists.”

Our tour took us first to Bassin Bleu, a famous series of three deep blue pools 
linked by waterfalls (see the Slideshow on Page 1 for a photo). It takes a strenuous
uphill hike to get there—which involves crossing over streams plus a bit of mild
rock climbing—but the reward is gorgeous, untouched natural beauty.

Jacmel itself is full of distinctive architecture, and the Jacmel Arts Center is
a visual feast, inside and out (see the Slideshow for a photo).

This year PAPJazz organized a satellite Jacmel festival. One concert featured the
Frank Salis H3O trio and Erik Truffaz; the other had Loide Jorge and her Jazz Quartet.

![Image result for Ingrid Beaujean](https://i0.wp.com/revistakuadro.com/wp-content/
uploads/2016/05/ingrid.jpg?w=640)

**Ingrid Beaujean/Frank Salis H3O/Loide Jorge & Jazz Quartet/RAM**

Friday night is always celebrated with a free outdoor concert at Place Boyer in 
downtown Port-au-Prince. Mexican singer Ingrid Beaujean (accompanied by electric
guitarist Juan Jose Lopez) opened the show with a sweet song that included a guitar
solo using a looper, the first of several very musical uses of electronic augmentation
by the duo. Beujean sang “A Foggy Day in London Town” in English. Then after taking
a scat solo, she accompanied Jose Lopez’s chord-melody solo with finger snaps and
a vocal high-hat sound. “El Perro” was introduced as a son from Oaxaca. Beujean 
crafted a beautiful multi-part vocal chorus with a looper, which she brought in 
and out during the song: it made a great accompaniment track for a guitar solo. 
The set ended with a lovely lullaby, the duo’s intimate music making having completely
won over the crowd.

![Image result for Loide Jorge & Jazz Quartet](https://dcfunemployment.files.wordpress.
com/2016/05/tedx.jpg?w=640)

Frank Salis H3O returned with his H3O trio to bring the funky organ blues. This 
is music that is especially well-suited to a large open-air venue, and they did 
not disappoint.

Loide Jorge and her Jazz Quartet had been in Haiti for a few days, including a performance
at the Jacmel satellite concert series. So she brought a more fine-tuned set to 
this show. Mongo Santamaria’s “Afro Blue” (best known from saxophonist John Coltrane’s
arrangement) was a new addition to her set. She had also added a well-known Haitian
song which the audience recognized—”you know it better than I do,” she declared—
and brought a remarkable young Haitian vocalist named Jenny J onstage as a guest.
Jenny is amazing for a thirteen-year old: it will be fascinating to hear more from
her in the future. She also performed several songs during the after hours show.

The concert ended with a performance by RAM, arguably the best-known Haitian roots
music band. The style called rasin combines Vodou ceremonial and folk music traditions
with rock and roll. Their name is derived from the initials of their founder, songwriter
and lead male vocalist, Richard A. Morse, and is famous for its regular Thursday
night performances at the Hotel Oloffson in downtown Port-au-Prince (see the Slideshow
on the first page for a photo of the stage there). Hearing them on the PAPJazz stage
may be second-best, but it was still a memorable experience. The band (which included
drums, voudou drums, two percussionists, two electric guitarists, electric bass,
and the additional female vocals of Morse’s wife Lunise Morse) opened with upbeat
konpa. The second tune employed two harmonized, overdriven guitars, and the first
appearance of Ra Ra trumpets (played by the percussionists). The next song was reggae—
clearly well known, because after the introduction the crowd sang it unaccompanied.
Then they played soukous, more reggae, and a finale with Richard and the Ra Ra trumpets
processing through the crowd. One of the guitarists quoted “Auld Lang Syne,” a song
often used for endings of all sorts, not just New Year’s.

![Image result for Beethova Obas](https://i0.wp.com/www.neimenster.lu/var/ezflow_site/
storage/images/media/images/event-images/img733042/66911-1-fre-FR/img73304_bigSlider.
jpg?w=640&ssl=1)

**Strings/Beethova Obas/Norman Brown/Michael Brun**

For the grand finale the festival moved to a new location at the beach, the Decameron
Indigo Beach and Spa Resort: a reminder that Haiti is on an island, after all. The
resort is on the Côte des Arcadins, a coastal location just 90 minutes from Port-
au-Prince. The contrast with the city is so great that it feels much farther away.
It’s a beautiful resort, and the stage set up literally on the beach was an island
fantasy come true.

![Image result for Norman Brown](https://i0.wp.com/www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Norman%
2BBrown%2BJava%2BJazz%2BFestival%2B098b5fmNGGVl.jpg?w=640)

The opening act was Haiti’s Strings, a surprise addition to the program after Thursday’s
rain cancellation. Their pop flamenco music was warmly received by their local fans.
Founding members Jacky Ambroise and Phillipe Augustin are both still in the band:
Ambroise is the composer and lead guitarist, and the full band includes two additional
flamenco guitars, bass, two percussionists and drums. After a rubato solo guitar
introduction they launched into their first selection, a flamenco with two of the
guitars playing harmonized lines, a common arranging technique, and a treat for 
any guitar fan. “En Creole” was like a two-step, and included vocal parts, another
recurring part of the arrangements. It certainly serves to make music which is primarily
instrumental more accessible. Later in the set there was space for solos from drums,
percussion and bass, all accompanied by a guitar vamp to keep the song in focus.
The finale had a reggae introduction which shifted into an exciting fast flamenco.
Once again “Auld Lang Syne” was quoted in farewell.

Haitian singer Beethova Obas (who was indeed named for the great German composer)
has been heavily influenced by Brazilian bossa nova, but his music shows many influences.
He opened with a moderate konpa, following it with a samba which the audience recognized.
The next konpa went into a swing feel for a jazz piano solo. The musical variety
continued with the slow son “Haiti, Mon Coeur” including another audience sing-along—
many of his tunes were well-known by the crowd. When he sang his single “Asé Babyé”
the audience was again ready to join in. A guest melodica player joined in for another
son, then his set ended with a fade-out on a konpa tune.

American smooth jazz guitarist Norman Brown took the closing jazz spot of the festival.
His trademark smooth playing style was certainly in evidence—although thankfully
without most of the slick production sound of his recordings—but he’s a contemporary
player with wide interests, as demonstrated by the classic wah-wah funk of “Shaft”
he played as the introduction. The set list leaned heavily on his breakout album
After The Storm (MoJazz, 1994). He began his cover of the Isley Brothers’ “For the
Love of You”—the first of several songs featuring his vocals as well as his guitar—
scatting along with his guitar, and later conducting the audience in a scat sing-
along. The scatting with guitar technique was inspired by his hero George Benson—
one of the stylistic elements that still gets Brown compared to him. Yet he also
played a Jimi Hendrix cover, a Wes Montgomery cover (“Bumpin'”), and a Luther Vandross
cover (“For You to Love”), as well as Benson’s version of “On Broadway” and one 
of his instrumental tunes (“Breezin'” I think). After a medley from After the Storm(
including “Better Days Ahead” and “That’s the Way Love Goes”), Brown closed with“
Funk The People,” a 1970 George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic tune. The band’s
fiery playing was accompanied by literal fireworks, a memorable ending to a very
entertaining set. Brown’s guitar technique is formidable, he’s a fine singer with
an easy stage presence, and he and his band have fun. So does the audience.

The grand finale was EDM (electronic dance music) provided by Haitian/American DJ
Michael Brun. Brun was born in Port-au-Prince, now lives in Miami, but has maintained
Haitian connections. He is known for integrating World Music sounds, including the
Haitian styles konpa and rara. His set had a special emphasis on Haitian sounds,
and featured periodic geographic shifts as he emphasized different countries. It
was music again best appreciated by dancing, which I did for awhile before heading
to bed for an early flight.

The end of PAPJazz is bittersweet. Visiting Haiti is always an adventure, but a 
week crammed with music and exploration can be exhausting. The festival remains 
the most truly “international” jazz festival I have attended. In addition to the
rich Haitian flavor of the music and the event, the presence of all the participating
countries is undeniable. They contribute a roster of excellent musicians, both famous
and lesser known. And I can think of no other place where I have heard stage announcements
in French, Creole, English, Spanish and Portuguese.

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